want vs need.
Saying, “we’re not buying anything,” is a waste of breath if you go anywhere with your kids! The weather finally broke here; by broke I mean, was in the 30s! Our local Amish auction re-opened after the snow and we had the bright idea to go. I took 4 chickens but wanted to see what the rest of the animals brought so we braved the cold and decided to stay. I joked about coming home with a mini donkey but I knew for a fact, that I did not want anything else to feed!
We go in and look over the hundreds of chickens, some livestock, desserts and second hand goodies they had on display. The only thing I was willing to buy was a plate of whoopie pies! I’d never bid on bulk items but I was ok with bringing home 20 pies! There was a tiny duck at the door who had burrowed his entire head into his wing: when we walked by, my daughter said, “mooommmaaa… look at iiiit… let’s geeet hiiiim.” I immediately agreed [on the inside] but we do not need a duck, have a place or food for a duck and I had already said we weren’t buying anything! I told her if he goes for less than $5, she can have him. After one trip around the barn, we decided to grab some food and warm up in the truck. Two cheeseburgers with fries and a small potato soup [plus tip] was forty bucks. No need to keep tally, I will do it for you!
We went back in a few minutes before the auction started to see what else had been added. There was the tiniest little bunny sitting on the table and my daughter fell in love. I reiterated to her that we did not have space for a rabbit, she pouted and I gave her the same line, “if it goes for less than $5, its yours!”
It was so cold in there! There were 2 little lambs about 3 weeks old near the door and everything in me wanted to bring them home… They were freezing! The seller had left 2 bottles on top of the cage that were like ice; I was close to getting a blanket out of the truck but they were locked in tight! I stuck to my guns and didn’t even mark down their auction number! A tiny goat had me ready to stay an extra hour but I knew for sure that it wouldn’t sell for less than 5 bucks! Ha. [I had a budget after all!]
The auction starts and we are standing next to the tiny duck.. he was #3 in line. They started outside so the pressure would be on shortly! Her eyes were big as quarters watching this cold little duck try to stay warm. His little head pops out and I start baby talking him. His curious little face was irresistible! I gave in and agreed on $10 TOPS!
The auctioneer comes around and when the duck starts, he asked for 20 to start.. 20.. 20.. 15… 12.50…10.. 8… 7… 5 anybody give 5..5.. A card goes up.. Oh man, already half way to my budget.. 6… another card… 7.. the original bidder.. 8.. 8… I raise my card. I glance over at Addy and she is overjoyed but I knew this was about to escalate quickly! 10.. a lady does her shrug.. he comes back and makes eye contact with me. 12 and half.. I nod. I made a split second decision – Ok $20 is my limit. He gets to 17.50 and I look at Addy and she was smiling like we had already won. The lady shrugs. 20.. direct eye contact.. I nod. 22.50, she shrugs. My brain forgets I ever set a limit. It was all a blur after that. I’m just nodding like I was here specifically for this damn duck. Moral of the story. I paid $30 for a duck that I had no food, shelter or knowledge of caring for!
My kid was too cold to stand around, she went out to the truck and once the crowd had moved over, I ran to pay for him and frantically searched for someone to give me that cold little baby so we could warm him up! The duck and I stood there to see what my girls would bring. He snuggled into my jacket and nestled his beak into my hair. The girls sold for $18. Hardly worth the gas going up there.
So, at this point, I’m $52 in the hole, on the verge of hypothermia standing there with a duck I had no clue what to do with!
I know that we didn’t NEED a duck but the look on her face when I brought him out to the truck was worth every penny!
Sometimes what we want is exactly what we need.
Meet, Quack Nicholson.
